COUNCILLORS have ignored the advice of their own planners and refused permission for a 15m-high mobile phone mast on proposed green belt land.

The decision will be seen as a victory for residents in the Picktree area of Chester-le-Street who packed out Chester-le-Street District Council's planning committee to oppose the plan.

The protestors argued the BT Cellnet mast contravened rules about building on land designated for agricultural or recreational use and could damage children's health.

The company had hoped to erect the mast on land belonging to the nearby Lambton estate, just off North Drive, in Picktree village, near a children's play area.

Planning officers at Chester-le-Street District Council had recommended the plans be approved at a planning committee meeting on Monday - despite the council receiving almost 100 letters of objection and a petition containing more than 200 signatures.

More than 100 residents were crammed into the council chamber during the meeting on Monday and others were locked out.

Chairman of North Lodge Parish Council, Margaret Caygill, who had opposed the plan, said: "We are thrilled to bits.

"Once again it was a real victory for people power.

"We had an excellent submission from resident Brian Wilson and had a unanimous decision from our councillors.

"There appears to be no plan to appeal which is excellent news."

In his submission Mr Wilson said that because the location is within a green belt and surrounded by high land values the mast would contravene protection policies.

He added that the mast would be an eyesore in an attractive area and would establish a precedent for other local authorities to follow.

He conceded the health effects of phone mast emissions was still a matter of debate.

The planning report submitted to the committee meeting recommended approval of the plan, saying the mast's design would not infringe on the objectives of the proposed North Durham green belt.